Logitech has a long history of making some of the most well-loved peripherals in the industry, including the best keyboards. The company’s latest release is a productivity tool called the MX Creative Console, which eliminates unnecessary mouse clicks.
The console consists of a keypad and a secondary contextual dial. This unique pairing lets users control creative applications such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro like never before. Every button and dial is fully customisable, so you can tailor it to your exact workflow. The inclusion of user presets also means you can connect it directly with your most commonly used actions.
I spend most of my time working with creative applications from Adobe and Blackmagic, so I loved being able to get my hands on the console and give it a whirl. It has boosted my productivity and enabled me to focus on the creative process rather than repetitive tasks. Without overstating it, this device has completely transformed how I create.
Design and build
The wired USB-C keypad contains nine shortcut buttons and two scrubber buttons for moving through 15 available pages. The shortcut buttons are full-colour LCDs that can be customised to any application or shortcut that you want. They display application icons, which makes the whole unit look incredibly professional. They are also bright enough to work in well-lit rooms.
The device itself measures 91.7×77.9×25.5mm and weighs 96 grams. Rubber feet ensure it sits reliably on your desk, although the package comes with a stand should you wish to make use of it.
The Bluetooth contextual dialpad is powered by two AAA batteries and therefore much freer to sit anywhere on your desk. Other than the central dial, there are also four buttons for back, forward, left, and right controls as well as a fluid roller. The unit measures 92.1×93.7×33.8mm and weighs 128 grams.
Aside from the aluminium dial and the LCD buttons, almost everything else is made from recycled plastic. Depending on which finish you opt for, the top of each unit has a light or dark grey dimpled textured finish. This finish gives way to a white base. They seriously look the part and complement one another beautifully.
Features
The keypad is beautifully simple. The nine shortcut keys can be programmed to any application you want, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Adobe Illustrator, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Spotify, and Apple Music. If you’re wondering whether nine will be enough, Logitech has you covered by offering fifteen pages of them. That’s a total of 135 shortcut keys!
The dialpad features the ability to operate any tool within the aforementioned applications. That includes things like adjusting the brush size, adding layers, or changing a photo’s colour temperature. In essence, if you already do it with your mouse and keyboard then you can do it with the MX Creative Console.
It’s possible to customise to your heart’s content but if you want an easy life, then there are dozens of pre-made recommended profiles for Adobe applications and other apps.
Performance
After using the Logitech MX Creative Console, I was left feeling very positive about the whole experience. From a functional point of view, every button, dial, and scroller works reliably and efficiently. It’s easy to make precise adjustments without losing control of what you’re doing.
The dial moves so incredibly smoothly with the perfect level of friction that I could rotate it all day long. At one point I thought I might have a career as a DJ I was getting so into it.
The console is not only well-engineered but also thoughtfully configured. The fact that everything can be customised means that all you have to worry about is getting used to where your new controls are. As with any new process, after a little while, I found it became second nature and my hands adapted to what I wanted them to do without having to think about it.
The Logi Options+ app also performs incredibly well. What historically might have been a rather cumbersome experience was very enjoyable indeed. When adding applications, Logitech provides a list so you’re not having to root around your computer trying to find them. The app also suggests the most popular shortcuts and actions so you can get the device set up quickly.
If I were to suggest one change then it would be to make the keypad wireless just like the dialpad. that would give ultimate flexibility when it comes to placing them on the desk.
Price
The MX Creative Console costs $199.99 / £199.99. This might seem like a lot but you’ll also get access to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps subscription for three months. Considering that will cost you nearly £100 in the UK, suddenly £200 doesn’t seem too bad. Existing Adobe users can also take advantage of the offer.
The companion app, Logi Options+, can be downloaded and used free of charge.
Buy it if:
- You want to streamline your creative workflow
- You need a console that will stand the test of time
- You’d like three months’ free access to the Adobe suite
Don’t buy it if:
- You’re happy with your mouse already
- You want a budget shortcut launcher